By C1 Staff
SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. — A Spokane County Detention Officer was ruled justified in shooting at an inmate who was fleeing inside Deaconess Hospital in July.
The Spokesman-Review reports that the officer, Sandy Reif, gave inmate Cameron Trevino multiple warnings before firing at him, ruled Spokane County Prosecutor Larry Haskell.
“He had used multiple reasonable means short of deadly force to prevent Trevino’s escape prior to using deadly force,” a county press release stated. “He used multiple verbal commands, baton strikes, pepper spray and engaged in a lengthy foot chase.”
Trevino was in the county jail on charges of first-degree assault and first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm. He was found hanging from the underside of his jail bed unresponsive on July 13, and was immediately taken to the hospital for treatment.
While at the hospital, Trevino asked to use the bathroom. When Reif removed his right leg shackle, Trevino punched him in the head. The two struggled, and Trevino eventually took off down the hall.
Reif chased Trevino through the eighth floor and eventually caught up to him in an empty hallway on the fourth floor. Once Reif opened fire on Trevino, the inmate immediately gave up.
“He feared Trevino could take a hostage, surprise him and take his gun or arm himself with a sharp instrument from the hospital,” the press release said.